• For Individuals
  • For Businesses
  • For Universities
  • For Governments
Coursera
  • Online Degrees
  • Careers
  • Log In
  • Join for Free
    Coursera
    • Browse
    • Counseling

    Counseling Courses Online

    Learn counseling techniques for providing support and guidance. Understand therapeutic approaches and counseling skills.

    Skip to search results

    Filter by

    Subject
    Required
     *

    Language
    Required
     *

    The language used throughout the course, in both instruction and assessments.

    Learning Product
    Required
     *

    Build job-relevant skills in under 2 hours with hands-on tutorials.
    Learn from top instructors with graded assignments, videos, and discussion forums.
    Get in-depth knowledge of a subject by completing a series of courses and projects.
    Earn career credentials from industry leaders that demonstrate your expertise.

    Level
    Required
     *

    Duration
    Required
     *

    Skills
    Required
     *

    Subtitles
    Required
     *

    Educator
    Required
     *

    Explore the Counseling Course Catalog

    • J

      Johns Hopkins University

      Psychological First Aid

      Skills you'll gain: Triage, Crisis Intervention, Emergency Response, Trauma Care, Emergency Services, Psychological Evaluations, Interpersonal Communications, Mental Health, Patient Education And Counseling, Stress Management, Patient Referral

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      20K reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • U

      University of Toronto

      Learn Interpersonal Psychotherapy

      Skills you'll gain: Psychosocial Assessments, Psychotherapy, Interpersonal Communications, Mental Health Therapies, Clinical Psychology, Conflict Management, Mental Health, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Rapport Building, Interactive Learning, Patient Evaluation, Patient Education And Counseling, Behavioral Health, Cultural Sensitivity, Case Management

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      63 reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • U

      University of Toronto

      The Arts and Science of Relationships: Understanding Human Needs

      Skills you'll gain: Relationship Building, Social Skills, Active Listening, Interpersonal Communications, Communication, Empathy, Self-Awareness, Emotional Intelligence, Needs Assessment, Cultural Diversity

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.8K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • W

      Wesleyan University

      Social Psychology

      Skills you'll gain: Social Sciences, Psychology, Persuasive Communication, Behavior Management, Conflict Management, Interpersonal Communications, Cultural Diversity, Research, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Experimentation

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      5K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Y

      Yale University

      Introduction to Psychology

      Skills you'll gain: Psychology, Mental and Behavioral Health Specialties, Child Development, Mental Health, Human Learning, Social Sciences, Behavioral Health, Neurology, Biology, Scientific Methods

      4.9
      Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
      ·
      31K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      A

      American Psychological Association

      Psychology of Anxiety, Mood, Substance Use, and Addictive Behaviors

      Skills you'll gain: Mental and Behavioral Health Specialties, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Clinical Psychology, Mental and Behavioral Health, Mental Health Therapies, Psychiatry, Psychological Evaluations, Mental Health, Psychotherapy, Behavioral Health, Cultural Diversity, Epidemiology, Psychiatric And Mental Health Nursing, Pharmacology, Neurology, Demography, Psychology, Pharmacotherapy

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      161 reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • T

      The University of Sydney

      Positive Psychiatry and Mental Health

      Skills you'll gain: Mental Health, Stress Management, Community Mental Health Services, Mindfulness, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Psychiatry, Positivity, Rehabilitation, Resilience, Behavioral Health, Clinical Psychology, Mental Health Therapies, Psychotherapy, Personal Development, Mental and Behavioral Health, Creativity, Self-Awareness, Occupational Therapy, Empowerment, Physical Therapy

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      3.8K reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      G

      Goodwill Industries International

      Goodwill® Career Coach and Navigator

      Skills you'll gain: Constructive Feedback, Interviewing Skills, Communication, Coaching, Accountability, Client Services, Virtual Teams, Customer Relationship Building, Professional Development, Diversity and Inclusion, Workforce Development, Recruitment, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Relationship Management, Active Listening, Telecommuting, Needs Assessment, Employee Onboarding, Goal Setting, LinkedIn

      Build toward a degree

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      393 reviews

      Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      M

      MedCerts

      Mental Health Care Fundamentals

      Skills you'll gain: Healthcare Ethics, Conflict Management, Medical Privacy, Child Development, Cultural Responsiveness, Human Development, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Patient Education And Counseling, Cultural Diversity, Cultural Sensitivity, Mental Health Therapies, Professionalism, Professional Development, Pediatrics, Time Management, Mental Health, Emotional Intelligence, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Teamwork, Psychiatric And Mental Health Nursing

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      769 reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

    • W

      Wesleyan University

      Suicide Prevention

      Skills you'll gain: Preventative Care, Research, Crisis Intervention, Research Methodologies, Epidemiology, Behavioral Health, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Sociology, Public Health, Mental Health, Psychology

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      293 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      A

      Arizona State University

      Communication For Everyone

      Skills you'll gain: Meeting Facilitation, Public Speaking, Lecturing, Presentations, Active Listening, Storytelling, Communication, Persuasive Communication, Team Leadership, Teamwork, Social Skills, Influencing, Discussion Facilitation, Team Building, Communication Strategies, Leadership, Team Management, Interpersonal Communications, Verbal Communication Skills, Non-Verbal Communication

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      105 reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      R

      Rice University

      Mindfulness and Well-being

      Skills you'll gain: Growth Mindedness, Stress Management, Resilience, Mindfulness, Personal Development, Self-Awareness, Compassion, Positivity, Empathy, Mental Health, Mental Concentration, Interpersonal Communications, Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Relationship Building, Behavioral Health, Cognitive flexibility, Social Justice, Persistence, Overcoming Obstacles

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.1K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    Counseling learners also search

    Mental Health
    Thinking
    Clinical Psychology
    Mental Disorder
    Therapy
    Addiction
    ADHD
    Autism
    1234…21

    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular counseling courses

    • Psychological First Aid: Johns Hopkins University
    • Learn Interpersonal Psychotherapy: University of Toronto
    • The Arts and Science of Relationships: Understanding Human Needs: University of Toronto
    • Social Psychology: Wesleyan University
    • Introduction to Psychology : Yale University
    • Psychology of Anxiety, Mood, Substance Use, and Addictive Behaviors: American Psychological Association
    • Positive Psychiatry and Mental Health : The University of Sydney
    • Goodwill® Career Coach and Navigator: Goodwill Industries International
    • Mental Health Care Fundamentals: MedCerts
    • Suicide Prevention: Wesleyan University

    Frequently Asked Questions about Counseling

    To become a successful counselor, you must learn communication, active listening, empathy, rapport-building, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. Because counselors work with patients to resolve emotional issues, they need technical and human skills to build strong, trustworthy relationships. Counselors also need to learn psychological theories and techniques to be effective. ‎

    Coursera offers free courses related to counseling, such as Introduction to Psychology from Yale University, so you can understand if counseling is a good fit for you. Another helpful free course is The Arts and Science of Relationships: Understanding Human Needs from the University of Toronto. For deeper understanding of specific techniques, consider Conflict Transformation from Emory University, Social Psychology from Wesleyan University, Addiction Treatment: Clinical Skills for Healthcare Providers from Yale University, and Positive Psychiatry and Mental Health from the University of Sydney, all offered for free.‎

    Those who want to become a counselor or therapist can earn a license by taking the necessary courses and passing the state exam. Most states require a master’s degree in relevant coursework, such as social work, counseling, or clinical psychology. To be qualified for such a master’s degree, you must have completed a bachelor’s degree.

    Read more about earning a master’s in psychology.‎

    Becoming a counselor can be a rewarding career because you’ll have a positive impact on individuals, whether it’s through a school, organization, or community. Counselors typically are passionate about helping others, especially in applying psychological techniques to help people with their emotions, relationships, and trauma. You might start by researching counseling roles or taking an introductory course to see if this career path suits you.‎

    Visit the Learner Help Center for more information about learning on Coursera. There, you can learn more about your account, payments, subscriptions, and Coursera policies.‎

    When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Counseling, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here.‎

    This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

    Other topics to explore

    Arts and Humanities
    338 courses
    Business
    1095 courses
    Computer Science
    668 courses
    Data Science
    425 courses
    Information Technology
    145 courses
    Health
    471 courses
    Math and Logic
    70 courses
    Personal Development
    137 courses
    Physical Science and Engineering
    413 courses
    Social Sciences
    401 courses
    Language Learning
    150 courses

    Coursera Footer

    Technical Skills

    • ChatGPT
    • Coding
    • Computer Science
    • Cybersecurity
    • DevOps
    • Ethical Hacking
    • Generative AI
    • Java Programming
    • Python
    • Web Development

    Analytical Skills

    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Big Data
    • Business Analysis
    • Data Analytics
    • Data Science
    • Financial Modeling
    • Machine Learning
    • Microsoft Excel
    • Microsoft Power BI
    • SQL

    Business Skills

    • Accounting
    • Digital Marketing
    • E-commerce
    • Finance
    • Google
    • Graphic Design
    • IBM
    • Marketing
    • Project Management
    • Social Media Marketing

    Career Resources

    • Essential IT Certifications
    • High-Income Skills to Learn
    • How to Get a PMP Certification
    • How to Learn Artificial Intelligence
    • Popular Cybersecurity Certifications
    • Popular Data Analytics Certifications
    • What Does a Data Analyst Do?
    • Career Development Resources
    • Career Aptitude Test
    • Share your Coursera Learning Story

    Coursera

    • About
    • What We Offer
    • Leadership
    • Careers
    • Catalog
    • Coursera Plus
    • Professional Certificates
    • MasterTrack® Certificates
    • Degrees
    • For Enterprise
    • For Government
    • For Campus
    • Become a Partner
    • Social Impact
    • Free Courses
    • ECTS Credit Recommendations

    Community

    • Learners
    • Partners
    • Beta Testers
    • Blog
    • The Coursera Podcast
    • Tech Blog
    • Teaching Center

    More

    • Press
    • Investors
    • Terms
    • Privacy
    • Help
    • Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Articles
    • Directory
    • Affiliates
    • Modern Slavery Statement
    • Manage Cookie Preferences
    Learn Anywhere
    Download on the App Store
    Get it on Google Play
    Logo of Certified B Corporation
    © 2025 Coursera Inc. All rights reserved.
    • Coursera Facebook
    • Coursera Linkedin
    • Coursera Twitter
    • Coursera YouTube
    • Coursera Instagram
    • Coursera TikTok